Why Manitoba’s cosmetic pesticide ban should be maintained

Below is a link to a brief prepared by Cosmetic Pesticide Ban Manitoba in 2016, explaining why our group supports maintaining Manitoba’s current ban on cosmetic uses of pesticides. The original brief was filed with the Province of Manitoba as part of their public consultation process in September 2016. The paper was subsequently updated as of November 1, 2016. A list of local and national organizations supporting a ban on cosmetic uses of pesticides is included.

Questions addressed in the paper include:

Who is Cosmetic Pesticide Ban Manitoba?

Why does the coalition support restrictions on the sale and use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes?

Federal authorities such as the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) claim that approved pesticides are safe when used as directed. Why does CPBM believe otherwise and on what evidence?

Shade-tolerant planting, with mulch (CPBM photo)

How does CPBM respond to the claim that current restrictions on pesticides are imposing unacceptable additional costs on municipalities?

Do other provinces restrict the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides?

What would CPBM like to see happen?

What do you think of allowing licenced applicators to continue to use the restricted pesticides?

What next steps does CPBM recommend?

In the intervening time since the CPBM paper was prepared, the Government of Manitoba has come under continued pressure from municipalities and lawn care service providers, seeking changes in the current regulations. At the same time, additional scientific studies have been published concerning adverse health impacts associated with human exposure to pesticides.

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Cosmetic pesticides in Manitoba: Education and Action

Cosmetic pesticides pose serious and avoidable risks to human health, especially children’s health. This web site is a resource for citizen education and action on pesticides used on lawns and gardens.

What are the health risks? What is the status of Manitoba’s current law? What are alternatives to the more toxic pesticides? What is happening elsewhere in Canada, USA, Europe?

Learn more and add your voice to help keep our communities safe from non-essential pesticides.